The Scottish government is consulting on its proposals for a new Agriculture Bill. This bill will determine how farming is funded in Scotland for many years to come, and will have a huge influence on the way our land is used and our food is produced.
It’s important that as many people as possible make their voices heard on this issue, so that the Scottish government receives a strong message that we need to make farming work for nature, climate and people.
If you have two minutes
Sign our petition calling on the Scottish government to introduce an agriculture bill that:
- Ensures at least three quarters of public spending on farming supports methods that restore nature and tackle climate change.
- Supports all farmers and crofters in the transition to sustainable farming.
You can add a personal message explaining why you care about the future of Scotland’s farming.
If you have a bit more time
Respond directly to the Scottish government’s consultation on its proposals for a new agriculture bill. The way our food is produced and our land is used affects us all. You don’t have to be a farmer or a crofter to respond. And you don’t have to answer every question.
You can read the proposals and submit your response at https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/proposals-for-a-new-agriculture-bill/.
We’ve put together a short briefing suggesting four key points to make in responding to the consultation:
- Farming has to play its part in tackling the climate and nature emergencies
- The current funding system is unfair
- Most of the money we spend needs to support nature and climate friendly farming
- The bill should establish a new nature restoration scheme
Our friends at Nourish Scotland have also put together an A-Z of the Agriculture Bill consultation, aimed at helping people identify which consultation questions to answer in order to express views on various subjects – from abattoirs to zero emissions.
The consultation closes on 21 November, so please submit your response before that date. Let’s make sure our views are heard.
